Stories of HOPE &
Nuggets of Truth
Every Time It Hurts: Learning to Trust God in Every Moment of Pain
I had been praying for this baby for almost a year. I had only known I was pregnant for a week. Then, on a Saturday night, I started experiencing extreme abdominal pain. I assumed it was a stomach bug. But by Sunday night, the pain was worse, and deep down, I knew something was seriously wrong. I called my doctor and was told to go to the ER immediately. That
The Gift of Grief: How Sorrow Makes Space for Empathy
In the first few months after the accident, I was still in shock. I couldn’t wrap my mind around the fact that she was really gone. Denial acted like a buffer, keeping me from having to feel the full weight of it. It was too much, so I just kept moving, trying not to think too hard. Honestly, it was a little easier at first because I didn’t see her
Forgetful Hearts, Faithful God: Setting Up Stones in the Midst of Trauma
I often judge the Israelites in the Old Testament, especially when they wander in the wilderness after being freed from Egypt. Didn’t God just provide for them a chapter ago, and now they’re complaining again? Why? How could they forget so easily? But then I’m reminded of that verse about judging others before examining yourself—something about the log in your own eye? (Matthew 7:3-5) Turns out that I’m not just
Understanding Survival Mode: Finding Truth in the Midst of Fear
As I sat in my office, my heart began to race, and the room felt like it was spinning. But all my co-worker had said was a simple, “Hey” as she walked into the room. Why did that trigger such a response in me? I had been living with trauma for a while, and life felt like it was slipping through my fingers as everything I once knew had turned
Trauma is Exhausting: God’s Call to Rest After Trauma
Throughout my life, I’ve experienced seasons of trauma and prolonged stress, and one thing has become clear: it’s utterly exhausting. The exhaustion doesn’t just come during the trauma—it often hits hardest afterward. I used to get so frustrated with myself, thinking I was just being lazy. Some days, even getting out of bed felt like an impossible task. After one particularly difficult season, I pushed myself relentlessly, trying to hold
When Words Hurt: How Pride and Trauma Impact Our Interactions
Every communication consists of at least one sender, a receiver, and a message. Here's an example of what this looks like. Years ago, I (the sender) attempted to have a conversation with someone I knew (the receiver). She was abrupt and intimidating and would resort to bullying to get her way. So, I decided to confront her on this destructive habit (the message). I breathed a quick prayer, asking God
Navigating Anger
An outburst of fury, a burying of pain, an irritation from differences, or recognition of injustices that need recompense; anger is a response all of us grapple with throughout our lives. There are times we blame it on our past influences or justify it due to a wrong done. Truthfully, it is part of our human nature that needs to be viewed from a biblical standpoint. Anger is not inherently
